Keeping blood pressure under control is important, particularly when a person has other medical issues such as diabetes.

A diagnosis of diabetes brings with it many changes in how people with the disease live their lives. Suddenly you are monitoring blood glucose, adopting different eating habits, and adjusting to additional medications. With so much new information to process, it’s no wonder that people with diabetes are often unaware of an important fact: there is a link between diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

You may be surprised to know that two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Compared with non-diabetics, people who have diabetes:

¯ Are at higher risk for heart disease

¯ Have additional causes of heart disease

¯ May develop heart disease at a younger age

¯ May have more severe heart disease

Diabetes itself is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, but when combined with other risk factors such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, diabetes further raises the risk of heart disease.

Heart disease often starts when damage occurs in the inner layers of the coronary (heart) arteries. This damage may be caused by smoking, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, or a combination of these.

Plaque builds up where the arteries are damaged and over time, plaque hardens and narrows the arteries. This reduces the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle. An area of plaque can also break open, leaving platelets to stick to the site of the injury. These platelets clump together to form blood clots. These clots narrow the arteries even more, further limiting the flow of blood to your heart and possibly leading to a heart attack.

If you have diabetes, your doctor should check your risk for heart disease and stroke at least once a year by checking your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. An A1c level should also be checked every three to six months to assess your diabetes control.

Diabetic or not, the good news is that you can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, usually with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. Some of the these include:

¯ Living a more active lifestyle. This can lower your blood pressure, help control your blood sugar level and your weight, and reduce stress.

¯ If you are diabetic, following your treatment plan for diabetes and see your doctor for ongoing care.

¯ Eating healthfully and choosing foods wisely. A Registered Dietitian can help set up an individualized meal plan.

¯ Taking medications as prescribed by your physician.

¯ Quitting smoking

If you have any warning signs of a heart attack or a stroke, get medical care immediately — don’t delay. Early treatment of heart attack and stroke in a hospital emergency room can reduce damage to the heart and the brain.

Remember, taking good care of your diabetes means you have less chance of having a heart attack or stroke. Talk to your health care team and ask questions about how best to take care of your heart!

Chautauqua County has high rates of both heart attack and stroke, but an estimated 80 percent of heart attacks and strokes are preventable. CHQ250 is an initiative of the Chautauqua Health Action Team, encouraging  you to take action to be one of at least 250 strokes, heart attacks, or related deaths prevented in Chautauqua County in the coming year. This column is written by CHAT members to share information to help you to do your part to live a life free of stroke or heart disease; it is not intended to replace advice provided by your healthcare team. Please direct questions or comments to: activecounty@co.chautauqua.ny.us.